The World Values Surveys and European Values Surveys
series was designed to enable a crossnational, crosscultural
comparison of values and norms on a wide variety of topics and to
monitor changes in values and attitudes across the globe. This data
collection contains the survey data from the four waves of the World
Values Surveys and European Values Surveys, carried out in 1981-1984,
1990-1993, 1995-1997, and 1999-2004. These survey responses have now
been integrated into one dataset, to facilitate time series
analysis. The surveys provide data... (more info)

The World Values Surveys and European Values Surveys
series was designed to enable a crossnational, crosscultural
comparison of values and norms on a wide variety of topics and to
monitor changes in values and attitudes across the globe. This data
collection contains the survey data from the four waves of the World
Values Surveys and European Values Surveys, carried out in 1981-1984,
1990-1993, 1995-1997, and 1999-2004. These survey responses have now
been integrated into one dataset, to facilitate time series
analysis.

The surveys provide data from representative national
samples of the publics of approximately 81 societies (covering 60
countries) that contain 85 percent of the world's population and cover
a full range of variation, from societies with per capita incomes
below 300 dollars per year, to societies with per capita incomes of
more than 35,000 dollars per year, from long-established democracies
to authoritarian states, and from societies with market economies to
societies that are in the process of emerging from state-run
economies. The surveys cover societies that were historically shaped
by a wide variety of religious and cultural traditions, from Christian
to Islamic to Confucian to Hindu. The societies covered range from
those whose culture emphasizes social conformity and group obligations
to societies in which the main emphasis is on human emancipation and
self-expression.

Broad topics covered in the integrated file
include perception of life, family, work, traditional values, personal
finances, religion and morale, the economy, politics and society, the
environment, allocation of resources, contemporary social issues,
national identity, and technology and its impact on society.

Specifically, respondents were asked whether the following acts
were ever justifiable: suicide, cheating on taxes, lying, euthanasia,
divorce, and abortion. Respondents were also asked about the groups
and associations they belonged to, which ones they worked for
voluntarily, the ethnic group(s) they would not want as neighbors,
their general state of health, and whether they felt they had free
choice and control over their lives. A wide range of items was
included on the meaning and purpose of life, such as respondents'
views on the value of scientific advances, the demarcation of good and
evil, and religious behavior and beliefs. Respondents were also
queried about their attitudes toward morality, politics, sexual
freedom, marriage, single parenting, child-rearing, and the importance
of work, family, politics, and religion in their lives. Questions
relating to work included what financial and social benefits were most
important to them in a job, how much pride they took in their work, if
they were happy with their current position, and their views on
owner/state/employee management of business. Questions pertaining to
the stability of the world economy and whether respondents were happy
with their financial situation were also asked. Respondents' opinions
on various forms of political action, the most important aims for
their countries, confidence in various civil and governmental
institutions, and whether they would fight in a war for their country
were also elicited.

Demographic information includes family
income, number of people residing in the home, size of locality,
region of residence, occupation of the head of household, and the
respondent's age, sex, occupation, education, religion, religiosity,
political party and union membership, and left-right political
self-placement.